On Saturday, September 24 the Spartanburg District hosted “Open Doors for A New Day” at Spartanburg Methodist College. Clergy and lay servants looked to the future of ministry at our churches and with each other.
The churches listed below shared their unique ministries with attendees.
Unity and Bethel Spartanburg – Mobile VBS – Bethel’s Youth Ministry traveled to Unity (An Aging Congregation) for VBS. The Youth ministry walked the neighborhood to bring children and engage them in VBS at Unity.
Tyger River Charge (Immanuel and Duncan) Immanuel – Expanded Backpack Ministries, the church built a relationship with the school beyond providing food for backpacks. The church became prayer partners for teachers, hosted ice cream socials, and started a book reading program with the school. Duncan – Basketball team partnership with the community in which the community youth were invited to play basketball in the church’s gymnasium.
Walnut Grove – Hope Mountain, a rehab program for persons with addictions.
Bethel SP – D Group – Youth Ministry emphasizes the way in which mental Health and Spiritual Health Interact & hosts a Parents Night Out.
Central – Music in the Park and/or Messy church. Community concerts are offered in Central Park, located directly behind the church, also used for prayer vigils and issues of public concern. Messy church is an interactive celebration of the gift of Jesus for people of all ages.
St. James – Pickle Ball Ministry and Community Garden. The community is invited to play pickle ball in the gymnasium and participate in the community garden which has allowed the church to get to know and build relationships with the community.
Inman/Aldersgate – Inman-Foster Family with Upstate Epworth and Zumba and Narcotics Anonymous. Inman allows use of the building for these activities, which helps to build relationships and support the community. Aldersgate Consessions – partnering with sister church.
Montgomery Memorial – Neighbors Helping Neighbors & Hunters and Landowners for the Hungry – building wheelchair ramps and providing needed food and essentials for persons in need in the community.
Silver Hill – Partnership with families with St. James (Upstate Epworth) – (Support Our Schools) – Cleveland Academy, Bobo Elementary-Partnership with Wofford College Young Adults.
Beaumont-Partnership with Converse College (Music and Tutorial Programs) Music camp for the children in the community as well as tutoring services.
Church of the Covenant, Central, Silver Hill, and St. James – Youth Ministry Partnership – brings youth ministries of all four churches together which increases youth participation with a larger group and helps increases human resources in this endeavor.
Landrum – Food Pantry/Food Box.
District United Women in Faith-Ms. Lisa Caldwell-Salters, District President
District UMM – Mr. Jeff Tillerson, District President
Bethlehem Center – Mrs. Patrena Mims, Executive Director Website: thebethlehem.center
Tyger River Prison Ministry – Rev. Traci Bennett, Chaplin (Please contact Traci to inquire as to how your church can support Tyger River.) Example: Donate yarn for the knitting ministry.
Upstate Epworth – Rev. Kathy James kjames@epworthsc.org
